ROME, Oct. 4, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The Rockefeller Foundation became the first
philanthropy to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty
(Global Alliance) at an event today with its President Rajiv Shah, the Brazilian Ambassador to the
Rome-based Agencies, Carla Barroso Carneiro, and The Food and
Agriculture Organization Director-General QU Dongyu. The Global
Alliance, one of the hallmarks of the Brazil's G20 presidency, aims to quickly
channel resources towards effective programs that reduce poverty
and hunger – two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are
currently offtrack. As part of its membership, The Rockefeller
Foundation is committing its financial and knowledge support to
member countries in their expansion of school meal programs – one
of the most beneficial investments countries can make to achieve
SDG 1 and 2.
"When I say that, I get emotional, because hunger is not a
natural thing. Hunger is something that requires political
decision. We leaders cannot look only — and all the time — at those
who are close to us. We need to be able to take an X-ray and look
at those who are far away, those who cannot get close to palaces,
those who cannot get close to ministers," said Luiz Inácio
Lula da Silva, President of the
Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and President of
Brazil, in a speech at the
pre-launch of the Global Alliance in July.
"Programs such as Bolsa Família, Food Acquisition and School
Meals allow healthy meals to reach the most vulnerable, encourage
agricultural production and promote local development. The Global
Alliance against Hunger and Poverty was born out of this political
will and spirit of solidarity. It will be the most important legacy
of Brazil's G20 presidency,"
President Lula da Silva said in
his speech.
School meal programs make a critical impact on the educational
outcomes and quality of life for vulnerable children around the
world, especially for girls. The World Food Program indicates that
school feeding programs can increase enrolment by an average of
nine percent while decreasing dropout rates and significantly
increasing children's attendance. Research also shows that
school feeding programs can have beneficial effects on agriculture,
education, health and nutrition, and social protection, with
US$ 9 in returns for every
US$ 1 invested. As the most extensive
social safety net globally, benefiting 418 million children in
2022, school meal programs feed 20 percent of the population one
meal per day, and can also be a powerful demand driver for
climate-resilient, regeneratively produced agriculture.
"Everyone deserves access to healthy food and economic
opportunity. That's why we invite other institutions to join The
Rockefeller Foundation in supporting the Global Alliance Against
Hunger and Poverty," said Dr. Rajiv J.
Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. "As part of
the Alliance, we hope to help countries expand their school meal
programs, which can help improve nutrition for millions of children
while driving demand for more locally grown, regenerative
agriculture," said The Rockefeller Foundation President
Rajiv Shah.
The Rockefeller Foundation is comitted to supporting a healthier
way to produce, purchase, and consume what it calls "good food"
that is accessible by all and good for the planet. Since 2021 it
has focused on generating support and building momentum for
expanding climate-resilient school meal programs, alongside the
World Food Program, The School Meals Coalition and other partners.
The Rockefeller Foundation is working to support countries to
improve their school meal programs to achieve climate impacts.
Working with producers, corporations, investors, philanthropy and
governments, The Rockefeller Foundation aims to align incentives
and investment opportunities that support farmers in underserved
markets through their regenerative transitions.
The Permanent Representative of Brazil to FAO, IFAD and WFP, Ambassador
Carla Barroso Carneiro, on behalf of
the Brazilian Government, expressed her gratitude to The
Rockefeller Foundation for its commitment to the Global
Alliance.
"The Rockefeller Foundation's leadership in advancing
sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations, especially in the
realm of nutritious school meals, strengthens Brazil's efforts to fight these global
challenges and to ensure that effective, long-term, evidence-based
solutions reach those most in need," said Carla Barroso Carneiro, Ambassador
and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the UN Rome Based Agencies.
As part of the Global Alliance, The Rockefeller Foundation
expects to provide financial resources, technical assistance,
capacity building support, as well as knowledge and data with
member countries that are implementing school meal programs. In
partnership with others, The Rockefeller Foundation will also work
towards supporting large scale, country-owned implementation of
policies and programs.
The Food and Agriculture Organization states, "FAO is
pleased to welcome The Rockefeller Foundation as the first
philanthropic entity to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and
Poverty. The Rockefeller Foundation support for climate-resilient
regenerative school meals through the Global Alliance will increase
the implementation of this policy instrument at scale, directly
reducing hunger and malnutrition while promoting the transformation
of agrifood systems, building resilience to climate change and
strengthening smallholder family farmers. FAO is keen to work with
Brazil, The Rockefeller Foundation
and all other members of the Alliance to end poverty and achieve
Zero Hunger."
Open to all interested stakeholders, the Global Alliance will
strive to generate collective action and mobilize resources to
eradicate hunger and poverty, aligning efforts and financing from
both public and private sources.
About The Rockefeller Foundation:
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on
collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology,
and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities
to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of
humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and
reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food,
health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our
newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us
on X @RockefellerFdn and LI @the-rockefeller-foundation.
About The Food and Agriculture Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized
agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to
defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and
make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality
food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194
countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries
worldwide.
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